A key action in ‘Our Chelmsford Our Plan’ and the ‘Climate and Ecological Emergency Declaration Action Plan’ is to undertake a greening programme to significantly increase the amount of woodland and the proportion of tree cover in Chelmsford through a sustained ten year tree planting campaign.
In addition to the 2,000 young woodland trees planted in 2018/19 and 14,500 planted last year (2019/20), a further 15,000 young trees have been planted to create new woodland areas within public open space, this winter (2020/21). Some 500 larger, specimen trees have also been planted on amenity land in some of the urban areas of the Borough, and further sites will be identified for future years.
Planting takes place between November and March only, with aftercare for at least two following years. Trees are native British species, such as Oak, Wild cherry, Hazel, Alder, Scots Pine and Guelder rose and mixes are selected for each specific site. All young trees are whips, small seedlings, some 2 years old and grown in small pots that establish more easily than large trees. Aftercare includes removal of vegetation directly around each tree, putting down wood chip to act as a weed suppressant and some replanting if necessary.
Planting and aftercare sessions form part of our volunteer project programme, so if you would like to get involved this winter please contact us.
